Belichick gave the Patriots' players Monday off after a come-from-behind, 34-31 win at Houston elevated their record to 9-3.

He said it was only logical:

"At some point during the week, it will not only be about Cleveland, but it also will be about something that happened in the Houston game that we need to either fix or reinforce as a positive way of doing it.

"Given our Monday night game in Carolina (Nov. 18), then the late Sunday game (vs. Denver Nov. 24) and now the travel from Houston, I just felt like today would be a good day for everybody to get their rest, get their treatment, continue to do their postgame workouts."

That was about one-third of Captain Detail's answer to a simple day off question.

Class of 2012

Josh Gordon wasn't the only rookie steal from the NFL's 2012 talent roundup.

Gordon went to the Browns in Round 2 of the supplemental draft. Alshon Jeffery went to the Bears in Round 2 of the regular draft.

Both had monster receiving games in losses Sunday, Gordon springing for 261 yards against Jacksonville, Jeffery for 249 yards in an overtime game at Minnesota. Both have two 200-plus games this year, although Gordon became the first player in NFL history to do it-back to-back. Jeffery, from South Carolina, was picked at No. 45 overall, eight spots after the Browns chose tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

Gordon's and Jeffery's teams will square off in the Browns' final home game, on Dec. 15. Gordon ranks second in the NFL with 1,249 receiving yards, 50 yards behind Calvin Johnson. Jeffrey ranks No. 4 with 1,109 yards.

Extra points

Some players said angry words after Sunday's loss. Cornerback Joe Haden has never been so animated.

"The frustration is natural," Chudzinski said. "I have it. I feel it as well. The key is that we funnel it and use it as fuel to take us in the right direction."

This is anything but a grind-it-out year in the AFC North.

Among the NFL's five teams that have rushed for less than 1,000 yards are the Browns (988), Ravens (973) and Steelers (922).

The Browns' Sunday opponent, New England, has rushed for 1,473 yards.

The Browns are No. 4 in the league in total defense, allowing 306.8 yards a game. The Patriots are No. 20 (362.2).

Sunday's 95-yard Brandon Weeden to Josh Gordon touchdown is the NFL's longest offensive play of 2013.

New England's Tom Brady is coming off his biggest road passing day of the year, 371 yards at Houston. Cleveland's Brandon Weeden threw for a career-high 370 yards Sunday against Jacksonville.